Improvement in horse hay-rakes



S. RITTY. HORSE HAY-RAKES.

No. 193,832. Patented Aug. 7,1877.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SEBASTIAN RITTY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ON E-THIRD HIS RIGHT TO JOHN DODDS, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN HORSE HAV-RAKES- Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 193,832, dated August 7, 1877; application filed August 18, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SEBASTIAN RITTY, of the city of Dayton, State of Ohio, have invented Improvements in Horse Rakes, of which the following is a specification:

My inventioinpertains to that class of horserakes in which there is a partial rotation of the axle in discharging the grain, the invention being exclusively a device for this purpose.

The accompanyingdrawings are made a part of my specification, in which the same letters designate like parts.

Figure 1 is atop view of the horse-rake. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line 1 1.

The general features of the horse-rake are similar to those in general use, and therefore a detailed description is unnecessary.

A represents the axle; B, the wheels, and l the shafts. The rake-teeth P are hinged directly to the axle, and pass through the guide-board F, which guide is supported by three arms bolted to the rear of the axle. To the crossbar D are attached the cleaner-sticks O. The hand-lever L, with its attachments, is used to effect the discharge, or to hold with the aid of the foot the rake-teeth to the ground.

The shafts are hinged to the bottom or the axle. E is the bar which supports the seat. the position of which is indicated by dotted lines. The chain H is connected to a staple on this bar, and the other end connects with the arm to. To the wheels are attached the ratchetwheels m. The iron rod G is held by three supports, a a, just above and near the center of the axle. On each end, and directly over the ratchet-wheels, are secured the pawls or dogs 4), which engage the said wheels. Near the central support is attached the arm to, Fig. 2. The effect of carrying this arm forward is to cause the pawls to engage the ratchet-wheels. The rear edge is notched for the engagement of the gravitating-latch S, which is slotted, so as to embrace the operating-arm.

This catch is pivoted to the plate T, which is bolted onto the axle. The bolt passes through a lengthened slot, both of the plate and the flat steel spring Q, which lies within a vertical groove of the plate. The free end of the spring has a bearing against the under surface of the operating-arm, and the efl'ect is to keep the arm in a nearly vertical position, and thereby hold the pawls clear of the ratchet-wheels. When the spring becomes weakened by use, the bolt may be released and the spring raised, and thereby made to exert a greater pressure. The plate carrying the gravitating-latch being adjustable vertically, the pawls are readily adjusted to the ratchetwhecls. This adjustmentis not essential, as the pawls are readily adjusted on the torsion-rod. When the rake is driven on a curve, the pawl on the inner circle is relieved by the torsion of the rod.

The operation of discharging the grain may be described thus: The driver, by pressing his foot on the chain, carries forward the operating-arm, and simultaneously the pawls engage the ratchet-wheels and the gravitatinglatch the arm, the wheels thereby elevating .the teeth and causing the grain to fall out.

The upward movement of the teeth continues until the gravitating-latch comes in contact with the cross-bar, which releases the pawls, and the teeth fall back into position to resume the operation of raking.

What I claim as my invention is- The combination of the arm w, supported on a rod for operating pawls with reference to ratchet-wheels, the gravitating-latch S, for holding said arm during discharge, the adjustable spring Q, for holding the pawls clear of said ratchet-wheels when not required in discharging a horse-rake, substantially as set forth.

SEBASTIAN RITTY.

Witnesses:

B. PICKERING, WILMER H. BELVILLE. 

